Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-01-12
dbe CatfaSter Jntflligertn
LANCASTER. JANUARY lq, 1857.
A Matter for Correction,

Our attention has just been attracted to
the fact that the Pennsylvania railroad CON-
pany discriminates against the passengers
on its main line and in favor of those on its
Schuylkill Valley branch. 1t is quite novel
to fnd the people on branch line enjoying
greater consideration than those on the
main line, and we were quite unwilling to
believe that it was true that it costs the
people OF Reading less per mile to 90 to
Philadelphia by the Pennsylvania railroad
than it costs those of Lancaster. \ lady
resident in Reading, going hence to Phila-
delphia yesterday, handed the conduC-
tor 900 mile coupon ticket book
made out in the name of gentleman of her
family, which she had been in the habit of
using on the Pennsylvania Schuylkil Val
ley line. The conductor refused it, calling
attention to a red ink note at the end Of
the book, which said that on the Schuylkin
Valley line only would the coupons be re-
ceived for the passage of anyone but the
party to which the book was made out. On
that line it would be taken for any member
of family or firm and it is not necessary
there to inscribe the name on the back of
the coupons taken up for passage.
Now here was certainly fine exhibition
Of the efficiency of competition and the
meanress of the great railroad of Pennsyl-
vania. Because the Reading railroad is
sued tickets at two cents mile, good for a
family and not needing endorsement, the
Pennsylvania did likewise; which of course
was right and necessary. But because il
had the dwellers along its main line at its
mercy, and could do with them as it
pleased, it failed to make the like conces-
sion to them.
So this conductor charged the lady pas.
senger s2.i0 to take her to Philadelphia, at
the rate of three and half cents per mile.
which was again a violation of the law
which prohibits a greater charge than
three cents per mile, as we understand it.
And the constitution, article Il, section
8, iUrbids unreasonable discrimination :"
in the charge for transportation of persons
anu property. 1t is undeniably an un-
reasonable discrimination to charge Lam
caster people more per mile than Reading
able to charge all that can be got.
- We suggest TO our Board of Trade that
this is matter that comes within the lines of
its appointed duty, and gives it an oIportu.
nifty to exhibit its value TO the community.
Certainly it cannot be content that the peo-
pie Of neighboring towns shall have cheaper
railroad tickets than those of Lancaster {;
and the constitution is by them, to declare
that such favOritism shall not be shown by
the Pennsylvania railroad.
And while the Board of Trade is In
communication with the PENNSYLVANIA
railroad officials on this matter, it may
proftably inquire why it is that the pas
senger's signature is required upon the
coupons of his passage book. The futility
OF this requirement has so long excited de.
rision, that the company should be permit
ted to explain its utility. 1t is SO evident
that in the shaking of the car no man S sig
nature can be identified, that it wholly
fails as means of combining the book to
the party in whose name it is issued and
tits SO obviously in the power of anyone to
give his book TO another, and to authorize
him to sign his name, that it 10 inconceiya-
ble that the company gets any benefit from
the annoying requirement. 1t can hardly
do lit for the sake of annoying its passengers
and of being berated for its folly.